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2011 Lexus IS-F, an Autoweek Drivers Log Car Review

October 3, 2011

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: What a nice platform--ride and handling on this 2011 Lexus IS-F are outstanding, managing to isolate occupants from the road yet preserve a mechanical connection for the driver with the steering and brakes. It's on par with the best from BMW that I've driven, and that's high praise.

The engine and the transmission are in the same league, but this is where the Lexus filter begins to show itself. Stand on the throttle, and the speedometer rotates--in a hurry. That's it. There's no sense of drama, no "hang on" moment as in the Jaguar XF Supercharged, my personal favorite wolf in sheep's clothing. It's all so polished that the driver is left with a shot of adrenaline that has no where to go.

Inside, Lexus outfitted the IS-F with some of the best seats I've had the pleasure of sitting upon, and the ergonomics are outstanding. The design is, well, a black interior, as interesting as that can be. My one quibble is with the center stack. The button font is really dated (yes, it's come to that), and did Lexus crib that digital clock from a 1980s Mitsubishi?

That kind of sums up the Lexus IS-F: Like my religious grandmother, it's too good to be much fun and it's got an old clock.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I like driving IS-Fs when they come through the office, though I'm not sure I would ever add one to my fleet. I can't see it knocking a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG or an Audi S4 out of said fleet, for example.

It's a fun to drive though, this Lexus--by far the most enjoyable Lexus you can get. it's close to being on par with the Germans. The big V8 sounds terrific and offers plenty of power, and it's nice and linear. It's especially fun in the middle rev ranges.

The steering isn't on par with the best but it's better than other Lexus vehicles, being easy to place the car where you want and steady as she goes and natural on the highway. It's debatable whether one really needs eight speeds, but I will say the trans is as smooth as they come. And could I use a slightly softer ride? Yes, I could, but then I feel that way about the BMW M3, too.

I'm a little too fat for the seats but that's not the car's fault--I could personally use a bit less side bolstering. Build quality is good, though I agree with Stoy--it's starting to look a little old.

This is a fantastic Lexus and a fine car overall, it's just not quite on par with the best of the Germans in my opinion.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The IS-F completely beat my expectations and changed my perceptions. This honkin' 5.0-liter V8 feels powerful and downright red meat, all-American. Launches are powerful, and above 4,500 rpm, this thing really howls. It felt like a muscle sedan in every way. The torque is impressive and pulls this machine away from stops with gusto and a bit of anger. The driver feels it in the seats and in the pedals, which offer a firm response to input. The steering is equally weighty and well-calibrated for a precise, athletic drive.

Lexus is synonymous with quiet comfort, but this felt like a true, unabashed sports sedan, topped off by the bolstered seats and sporty styling cues inside and out. I was particularly taken with the vents in the front quarter-panels and the wide stance the IS-F cuts. The price seems fair, and for a decent-size car, the weight is reasonable. This chassis is well-sprung without being punishing.

My only quibble with this car is that the center stack is overly buttoned. Functions are redundant with some of the touch-screen features, and in general, this is almost Acura-like in that there's too much going on. Otherwise, a top-shelf drive with tons of power.

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR CHERYL L. BLAHNIK: This is the first time I've had the chance to get into a Lexus IS-F. It's caught my eye the past couple of nights with the dual exhaust with stacked outlets.

The interior is nicely laid out and roomy with black on black and some blue accents thrown in for a little contrast. The seats are comfortable and held me in place during cornering. And as Greg mentioned, when you think of Lexus you think of luxury, but this car is also injected with a heavy dose of sportiness.

Driving this car is a blast. I'm not usually a fan of the paddle shifters, but this car's setup is pretty good. The engine offers gobs of power and the exhaust note sounds tough.

I'm usually a BMW fan, but if given the choice between this and the M3, it would be a toss-up.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: This has to be the best Lexus sedan on the market--it's quick, throaty, responsive and well-appointed throughout, including the perfectly bolstered suede seats and interior trim touches. The car likes to get up and go--that's when you get the best exhaust roar but also when the car seems to perk up and perform. In this application, there seems to be zero lag as the eight-speed transmission downshifts--I watched it jump from 8 to 3 instantly when I punched it at 70 mph on the freeway. The car steps off with authority. Cornering, braking and steering are all top-notch.

I'd like the car more if there was a way to soften the suspension when you're just motoring in a straight line or commuting to work. I also find the active cruise control not trustworthy. Sometimes it slows the car down to a stop without incident, while other times it launches into a bunch of beeps and warnings before it gives up all together and requires the driver to intervene with a hard stab on the brake pedal. The biggest problem is, other than closing speed and distance approximations, it is hard to tell how the system is going to respond in each situation.

For those who'd rather not bother with those electronic systems, the IS-F is a strong contender versus the BWM Ms and the Mercedes-Benz AMGs of the world. In fact, it reminds me most of a Cadillac CTS-V, which is equally good company.

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: Besides the LFA, the IS-F is the only car in the Lexus lineup that has a soul. All of the other cars are just shells with engines and four wheels that have zero passion built into them. I will say that it's nice to know that there are at least some enthusiasts within the walls of Lexus working on cars. The LFA and this IS-F are proof of that.

For 2011, Lexus updated the suspension and electric power steering system. When this car first came out, it was a really rough ride. It crashed over ruts and was just downright uncomfortable around town. With revised springs, shocks, rear bushings and rear camber angle it not only feels just as responsive (if not more so), but is way more comfortable compared with the old setup.

I tackled a couple of expressway interchanges and off-ramps during my night and the car felt stellar. It stayed planted with little lean and was communicative, enabling me to know exactly when I was pushing it a little too far. The electric steering in no way feels artificial, with decent weight tuned in.

The 5.0-liter V8 soundtrack is absolutely mad at full song heading toward the 6,800-rpm redline and delivers power in a linear fashion. The eight-speed automatic is a little disappointing but for a full on automatic, both upshifts and downshifts are done well. I'll give high mark for the brakes, too, which have strong, confident stopping power.

Combine the performance with some mean looks--thanks to the lowered stance, F-specific fascias, raised hood, enlarged front fenders and 19-inch BBS wheels--and the car is one slick piece.

There are still a few little things to complain about, such as the automatic transmission and the inability to totally defeat the traction and stability aids. But unless you are a potential owner who takes his or her IS-F to the track on regular basis, it shouldn't drive you too nuts. You can still get out of shape a fair amount if you want, and having that safety net is a good thing at times on the street.

Compared with the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the Lexus stacks up well. I would argue that the Benz with the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter, 451-hp V8 sounds the best and may be the most fun to drive in a mash-the-throttle-and-hold on sort of way. The BMW M3 is more of a precision instrument with the high-revving 4.0-liter, 414-hp V8 and superior chassis tuning. Truth is, I would take both the Mercedes and the BMW before the Lexus if given the choice, but the IS-F is by no means too far behind.

Andrew Stoy
- Digital editor Andrew Stoy is an avid enthusiast of all cars who has spent the past 15 years writing about the automobile in print, online and for advertising and PR firms.
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